Wake Forest Football: 2018 Preseason Awards

WINSTON SALEM, NC - AUGUST 31: Wide receiver Greg Dortch #89 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons strides in for a touchdown against the Presbyterian Blue Hose during the football game at BB&T Field on August 31, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

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WINSTON SALEM, NC – SEPTEMBER 16: Linebacker Grant Dawson #50 and defensive lineman Carlos Basham Jr. #18 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons force a safety against the Utah State Aggies during the football game at BB&T Field on September 16, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

Most to Prove

Winner: Carlos “Boogie” Basham Jr.

The Demon Deacons will be looking for someone to fill the void left with the departure of Duke Ejiofor, who was drafted by the Houston Texans. Ejiofor had 17 tackles for a loss, and seven sacks last year.

The team will now turn to Boogie Basham Jr. as his replacement and he will have plenty of pressure to produce at a high level. The redshirt sophomore backed up Ejiofor last year and 15 tackles and no sacks in 11 games.

This is a big opportunity for Basham Jr. in the early part of his collegiate career. The performance he has as the starting defensive end will play a major role in the success of this defense in 2018.

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